Page 26 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

“You should have thought about that before,” he snapped.

She winced. “You said you’d always be there for me. You’d protect me. You’d love me no matter what.”

“Not this, Ana.”

“Please,” she begged.

He’d remained silent, a mixture of anger and hurt boiling inside him until it tipped him over the edge and he said words he’d never be able to take back. The last words his fiancée heard from him.

“Nash?” Bella’s voice brought him back from the flashback like a life buoy to a drowning man.

“What?” he snapped.

She flinched back.

Fuck! He closed his eyes, inhaling the brine-soaked air. Traces of rose hip blossoms kissed the wind, just one more memory of their night together that had his shoulders tensing.

When he opened his eyes, Bella was turned towards the water, her cheeks pink, only the left side of her profile visible. She tucked her arms closer to her body and straightened her spine as if sensing his eyes on her.

Her gaze flicked to his, unsure. Fear and determination flickered in the molasses depths of her eyes. Wisps of her dark hair escaped her bun and blew over her face.

One trembling hand reached up to tuck the unruly strands behind her ear. She was shaking. His gut burned with regret. Nash’s hands itched to reach out and pull her into his arms to offer her comfort.

She’s not mine. And she would never be. He fisted his hands instead.

“I’m sure you’ve heard by the way you’re glaring at me . . . It was a miracle my mother kept it to herself this long.” She let out a self-deprecating laugh. “I tried to talk to you earlier.” Her voice shook, but she kept eye contact.

“You’re pregnant.” The words escaped his throat, rough and raw like he’d swallowed a bucket of saltwater.

She nodded, the toes of her worn Toms digging into the sand to kick over a shell.

“Why are you telling me?” Please let it not be mine.

She blinked as if confused. “Because . . . you’re the father.”

The world spun around him. Father? The roaring of his blood in his ears made it seem like he was in a wind tunnel as the words sunk in, confirming his fears. I can’t be a father. I can’t protect the people I love. I failed Ana when she needed me most. His chest screamed in pain. Unable to get a full breath of air in, he clapped a hand against his rib cage. Panic suffocated him at the image of a vulnerable little baby. No. They’ll be safer without me. I can’t . . .

“Nash? Are you okay?” Bella’s voice was soft, concerned.

“We used a condom.”

“Did you check to see if it broke?”

His mind raced back to that night. Had he? No. I was more concerned with getting the fuck away from her and the feelings she stirred up in me.

“It’s impossible. It must be a mistake. Someone else’s . . .”

She shook her head. “I haven’t been with anyone but you since . . .”

No. This wasn’t happening. He’d been so careful. He shoved his fear down, masking it with anger. “Since your husband died only six months before you fucked a perfect stranger in a boat? And I’m supposed to just take your word for it?”

He regretted it the moment the words were out.

Bella’s eyes widened. She staggered back a step as if his words had been a physical blow. Color rose in her cheeks.

Her eyes narrowed. “You have no clue who I am or what my life has been like. You have no right to judge me. Did I plan on this? Fuck no. But I’m dealing with it. I thought you deserved to know. That’s all this is. I thought I’d give you the courtesy of deciding what role you want to play in his or her life.”

Nash coughed, his throat closing up. A baby. A son or daughter to laugh with, or share his business with.

---